Hong Kong launched its third InnoHK research cluster — SEAM@InnoHK — on Tuesday, with funding of HK$2.5 billion ($319 million) spanning eight labs, in collaboration with 30 of the world’s top-notch institutions and scientists.  

The eight research and development centers under SEAM@InnoHK are partnered with top global universities and research institutions, including the University of Cambridge, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Nagoya University, National University of Singapore, Tsinghua University, and Peking University.

Three R&D centers feature collaborations with Nobel laureates, including the 2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Ben L Feringa; Konstantin Novoselov, 2010 Nobel Laureate in Physics, who is known as the "Father of Graphene"; and Hiroshi Amano, the 2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics.

ALSO READ: CE: Hong Kong rapidly rising as global hub for research collaboration

These centers cover research on emerging industries such as semiconductors, space manufacturing technology and functional materials for energy and sustainability.  

Speaking at the launch ceremony at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said the research projects under the new platform echoed the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) by promoting the development of high-end manufacturing, accelerating the growth of strategic emerging industries, and deepening green transformation.

He noted that Hong Kong has five world-class universities ranked among the global top 100, and holds a leading position worldwide in multiple fields including engineering, environmental science, and materials science. He added that he believes that the new InnoHK research platform will deliver tangible economic and social benefits, nurture a new generation of research talent, and contribute to the sustainable development of the city, the nation, and the world.

READ MORE: HK’s I&T development drive is in high gear

Cordelia Chung, chairman of HKSTP, noted that InnoHK has been partnered with the HKSTP for five years, and has demonstrated the power of collaboration amongst world-renowned scholars, researchers, and global partners. She stressed that the HKSTP will give full support to the InnoHK teams, and thus contribute to the city’s innovation landscape.

The new cluster spans a number of innovation and technology fields, including sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials; the HKSAR government invested a total of HK$2.5 billion for the eight R&D centers under SEAM@InnoHK.

Two InnoHK research clusters have already been established, namely Health@InnoHK focusing on healthcare technology, and AIR@InnoHK focusing on artificial intelligence and robotics technologies.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com